Augusta Historical Society & Museum to Present South Fork Roundup Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering

Augusta is pulling out all the stops for their first iteration of their Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering set for April 13.

According to the people at the museum in Augusta, there has not been such an event held in the community, although there have been some similar events held for local students in the past.

A search of historical newspapers in the area failed to turn up anything like what is planned.

The idea began when Dwayne Nelson, of Augusta, pitched the idea. Dwayne had covered a similar gathering in Lewistown, Montana years ago when he was on assignment for Signature Montana magazine.

Nelson told the Fairfield Sun Times that the performers he witnessed in Lewistown were "talented." "The day before they were on a horse or a tractor. It gave them more authenticity." "Authentic amateurs," was the term Nelson added. Nelson also said that there is a "patriotic" theme to these events, comparing them to "RFD-TV."

Before long, the idea had become a reality, and the planning began. And that's where Augusta really shows what a "community" is all about.

Featured performers include Randy Rieman and Brigid and Johnny Reedy.

For the last 40 years Randy Rieman has immersed himself in the cowboy culture of the American West.

He spent his early career cowboying for cow-calf ranches. All the while, Randy has been a perennial favorite at cowboy poetry and music gatherings at home and abroad, including being a featured performer at the National Cowboy Gathering in Elko, Nevada, for 36 consecutive years. Randy's partner, Jean Swanson, is the Agricultural Extension Agents in Teton County, Montana. They live and operate their horse business north of Choteau, Montana.

Brigid Reedy is a singer, songwriter, fiddler, poet and storyteller who has become a singular voice representing her beloved state of Montana. Now 23, Brigid's writing draws considerably from her experience as a young woman living and working in the contemporary rural West. She is a sought-after performer at festivals across the country, with highlights including 8 years at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. Brigid is joined by her "little" brother, Johnny "Guitar" Reedy whose physical stature and musical skills belie his age. At 18 years old, Johnny is a multi-instrumentalist with the sensitivity, subtlety, and soul of a mature artist. Together, Brigid and Johnny blend exceptional musicianship, sublime sibling harmonies and a voracious appetite for "good" music with Montana Western culture.

Amateurs expected to appear in the afternoon are Bob Garrison, originally from Augusta, now residing in Canada; John Murnane, of Choteau, who has "done it for years," and Cody Barnes, of Wolf Creek.

There is a youth category with four young performers already slated to take the stage: Eva Bouchard, 10; Lincoln Bardwell, 11; Breanna Hamilton, 9 and Alissa Hamilton, 11. All are from Augusta.

Individuals and businesses in the Augusta community who have stepped up to help make this a success for years to come include Round Up Barn, The Buckhorn Bar, Western Bar, Wagons West, Allen's Manix and Lazy B; Paulette Hughes, Jackie Barrett, John and Cheryl Cobb, 3Rivers Communications, Augusta's Friends of the Library and Lewis and Clark County Library; Choteau's Old West Lumber, and the local FFA youth will be lending a hand as well, assisting during the event and with the cleanup.

Chase Martin will be on hand to demonstrate leather work; Julie Martin will be on hand demonstrating horse massage.